It's a delicate procedure.
But with volunteers like Satoko Kinno, thousands of photos lost when a massive tsunami hit Japan last year, are being restored.
Police, fire fighters, rescue workers and citizens collected them after searching through the rubble.
Kinno realises how much one photo can mean to its owner.
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) PAPER CONSERVATOR SATOKO KINNO SAYING:
"I've really started to realize the depth and meaning that each and every photo has to it, and as such I want to do what I can to return as many photos as possible."
The photos are first frozen to stop bacteria and mold from growing.
Then they get scrubbed and cleaned of the mud, dirt and oil left by the massive wave.
Once the photos are cleaned and packed into photo albums, they are taken around to temporary housing complexes in the area in the hopes of finding their owners.
While it is often a hit-or-miss endeavor, it can be an emotional reunion when a photo and its owner are brought together.
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 77-YEAR-OLD RESIDENT YOSHIKO JINDAI SAYING:
"I got one photo blown up, and I was so thankful for that. I put it in a little frame, and it brought tears to my eyes."
Thousands more photos have yet to be processed.
It could be a long process but the seven-member staff will continue till the last photo is defrosted and returned to its owner.
Sophia Soo, Reuters.
